From the Stelvio pass, surrounded by the National Park and with views of the Braulio valley, the trail leads through the Bocchetta di Forcola pass and down into Forcola Valley. Then around the Cancano artificial lake, where traces still remain of the work done on the dam, shortly afterwards to the Fraele towers and, after a long walk on the flat, to Arnoga.

From the Stelvio pass (2757m) follow the trail towards the Garibaldi hut (2841m) on the DreiSprachenSpitz, which commands excellent views over the majestic peaks of the Ortler-Cevedale range, the highest being the Ortler (3905m). The view below is of the winding road, zigzagging its way across the Valtellina and Altoatesio slopes as far as the eye can see. A bridleway leads down into Swiss territory to the Giogo di Santa Maria ridge (2480m) and the Umbrail Pass, location of the Italian customs post. A trail continues along the right slope of the Braulio Valley to the Bocchetta di Forcola pass (2768m). The route heads down into the Forcola Valley along a bridleway, passing through the Malga di Forcola pasture (2313m), from where a track leads to Cancano, a broad vale, once used as a pasture, now the site of two artificial lakes. Cross the lower basin to meet the Sentiero della Pace Lombardy trail. The track passes near the Fraele Towers (1941m), watchtowers placed at the entrance to the Scale pass, part of the "Via Imperiale d'Alemagna"(Imperial German Way). The trail passes through some short tunnels, carved out of the rock, and then, on a sharp bend, a track, the service access to the decauville railway as was, leads off to Arnoga (1850m). Road SS321 to Livigno passes through here. From Arnoga a number of climbing routes lead up to the Cima Viola-Lago Spalmo range. There are also routes leading into the Viola Bormina valley, Cancano valleys and the valleys of the Livigno area. (Regione Lombardia)

Natural and cultural heritage

The view from the Stelvio pass (2757m) is of majestic peaks and eternal glaciers set amongst the natural greenery of the Stelvio National Park (surface area: 134,620 hectares). The park’s wildlife includes Red Deer, Roe Deer, Alpine Chamois and Ibex. There are also other minor fauna, including marmot colonies, squirrels, badgers, ermine, foxes, martens, weasels and hares. Over 2000 bird species have been spotted in the area, some migratory, some stationary, the latter including the Black Grouse, the Ptarmigan and the park mascot, the Royal Eagle. The high forest vegetation is mostly made up of conifers, mainly Spruce, Larch, Swiss Stone Pine and Dwarf Pine. Over 1800 species of flower grow in the park. Also in the park: the Rezia Botanical Gardens (Bormio) and the "Scianno" Wildlife Centre (Isolaccia). The Fòrcola valley is a narrow ribbon that winds its way northwards with, on the left, two peaks - Mount Solena (2915 m) and Pizzo Schumbraita (3124m) - which mark the Swiss border, and on the right Mount Pedenolo (2782m). Here begin Le Formelle (2025m), a chain that links the Fòrcola valley to that of Fraele. The latter was important in the past as a centre where the iron that was extracted from Mount Pedenolo above it was worked. Malga di Fòrcola, an area that was once inhabited, is at the top of the valley, which then curves eastwards under Mount Fòrcola. The road here still shows signs of the importance it once had. Its condition then deteriorates as it winds eastward towards the Forcola gap (2768m). At 2000m of altitude the walker can feel an eerie sense of solitude as the steep mountainside takes on different shapes and colours, making way for semi-derelict mountain huts, set in fields and pastures. The Fraele valley: The period from the ‘30s to the ‘60s saw the building of a road that leads to the pass to the Fraele valley. This was to enable the construction of the dam at Cancano (1884m), which transformed the landscape. The route it takes is that of a World War I military road which in turn was built upon the route of a medieval trade route, the “Via Imperiale d’Alemagna” (Royal German Way), one of the most important cross-alpine arteries. It played a key role in controlling trade and military transit between Lombardy and Switzerland and the Tyrol. The last part of this route is known as the Passo delle Scale (Pass of the Stairs). And there actually are real wooden steps there. They were essential in maintaining access to the peaks of the Plator and Mount Scale, and could be removed when necessary. The two Fraele towers overlook the pass. Once over the crest, the road approaches Lake Scale. It is the largest natural basin in the Bormio area, with no influents or effluents. The Cancano Lakes: A large, 4.5km long gully forms the bottom of the valley. It is flanked by rocks that have been smoothed and chiselled by the passing of the glaciers in the quaternary period, and by water and wind erosion. To the left the Dolomites, the peaks of the Platòr, carve their imposing silhouette on the skyline. Further on are the peak of Mount Doscopea and the dip of the Pettini valley. Mountain peaks - Pizzo del Ferro (3033m), Cassa del Ferro (3140m), Prà Grata (2768m) and Paradiso (3020m) - seal the valley off to the west. To the right is the ridge that begins with Mount Solena (2915m) followed by Pizzo Schumbraida (3124m), Mount Cornaccia (3144m) and, after the Val Mora pass (1935m) breaks the chain briefly, continues with the Serraglio peak (2685m). The trail continues pleasantly amongst the pine trees on either shore of the lake, perfect for walking, trekking or cycling. The Fraele valley has been used to produce hydroelectric power since 1928. It began with the building of the Cancano dam, which was later extended, and the sealing of San Giacomo di Fraele. Valdidentro valley begins at the source of the Viola stream, which flows the full length of the valley and merges into the Adda just as it emerges from the Fraele and Bràulio Valleys. To reach Valdidentro from the Vale of Bormio the walker must surmount the formidable natural barrier that is the Mount Scale (2315m) which divides the Adda and the Viola. The valley heads west from Premadio to Semogo where it ends and all the valleys meet: Vezzola which the Cadàngola stream runs through, Foscagno and Viola. Sights at Isolaccia (1350m): "Scianno" Wildlife Centre. Bagni Vecchi: to the north a waterfall pours into the fessura delle streghe, the witches’ gorge as local legend would have it, from where there are views over the Viola valley. Premadio (1300m): the Church of Santi Cristoforo e Gallo; Pedenosso (1450m): Church of Santi Martino e Urbano (14th -17th centuries); Arnoga (1850m): in the little church in the Seminary there is a carved, wooden, baroque altarpiece (18th century). (Regione Lombardia)

Other long-distance trails and alternative routes

At Cancano the trail meets the Sentiero Italia trail. At the Stelvio pass it meets the World War I historic trail from Filon dei Mot and the Reguzzo.+

Todays hike comes in three parts: 10 km to Forcella Pass, down touching Switzerland, and then a beautiful highway. Too many annoying bikers in this part. Then the best, down 10 km through a narrow quiet valley, hardly any people. Past the lake, and *between* the two pillars steep down to the last 10 km, which is the easiest, but rather a boring part. The whole day took me a little over 8 hours walking time.

I almost got ripped off by Albergo Li Arnoga, not only are they very expensive, they also charged extra services I did not use. So if you stay there, check your bill!

The running time is in fact largely underestimated but we usually, do not you? Small note ... "collateral" to the Information Point Lake Cancano, the employee only speaks Italian! I wanted to be complaining about the raucous music from a summer camp.

The walk from the Stelvio to Lake Cancano and on to Arnoga is far more than the stated 6:35! We needed about 8:20, only to brines (church) there are signs 5:30 loudly! The two towers, the easiest road to go through the small tunnel and turn left after the second left turn into the right path (from sign to Arnoga: 2:50). the road runs, possibly already at Lake Cancano stay ...